Who is eligible to be certified as a HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) with the state?

A HUB is defined as a business with its principal place of business in Texas formed for the purpose of making a profit in which 51% of the assets, interest, stock or securities are owned by one or more persons, who are economically disadvantaged persons of the following groups:

African Americans--which includes persons having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa;

Hispanic Americans--which includes persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish/Portuguese culture or origin, regardless of race;

Asian Pacific Americans--which includes persons whose origins are from Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Territories of the Pacific, the Northern Marianas, and Subcontinent Asian Americans which includes persons whose origins are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan or Nepal;

Native Americans--which includes persons who are American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts or Native Hawaiians; and

American Women--which includes all women of any ethnicity except those specified above.

Service Disabled Veterans -- which includes veterans who have a service-connected disability that has been determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs or Department of Defense

How does a vendor initiate the certification process and for what length of time is the certification valid?

In order to determine whether a vendor qualifies as a HUB, a vendor must complete a Historically Underutilized Business Certification Application. The HUB application can be viewed and downloaded from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA) Website.

At this time, this form must be notarized and returned to the CPA in paper form. CPA HUB staff may be reached by calling (512) 463-5872 or in Texas, call toll free 888-863-5881.

The initial certification is valid for a four-year period beginning on the date the applicant was certified by the CPA as a HUB. Upon expiration, a HUB must re-certify according to CPA procedures.

Which agency is responsible for HUB certification?

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA) is required by law to maintain a statewide Centralized Master Bidders List/HUB Directory. The CPA has to certify the applicant or provide justification of the denial of certification within 90 days from the time the completed application is received. CPA HUB staff may be reached by calling 512/463-5872.

Are state agencies required to attain a specific goal for HUB spending?

Each state agency is required to make a good faith effort to use HUBs in contracts for construction, services, including professional and consulting services, and commodities purchases. During the fiscal year a state agency is expected to make a good faith effort to meet or exceed the following percentages:

These goals are based upon the findings of the Texas Disparity Study.

11.2% - Heavy Constructions other than building contracts

21.1% - Building Construction, including general contractors and operative builders contracts

32.9% - Special Trade Construction contracts

23.7% - Professional Services contracts

26.0% - All Other Services contracts, and

21.1% - Commodities contracts

* Denotes contract types primarily used at the HHSC office.

Is there a certain length of time a business needs to be in operation before getting certified as a HUB?

No. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA) has implemented requirements for new businesses seeking certification with the state. If a business is applying for HUB certification or re-certifying under a new business structure, in conjunction with completing the HUB Certification Application, a business must provide certain documentation for its business structure to become certified as a HUB. The required documentation is identified on the application.

If a company does not qualify as a HUB, what can the vendor do to sell to the agency and to the state?

The agency recommends you register on the CPA's Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL), regardless if you're a HUB or not.

If a vendor is certified as a HUB and is on the HUB Directory why would you want to pay the fee to get on the Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL)?

In order to maximize benefits of the state's HUB program, businesses are encouraged to register on the Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) to receive certain Invitations for Bids (IFBs) automatically and have their commodities/services advertised by class-item codes to state agencies. Purchasers are required to include vendors from the CMBL for competitive purchases.

How do I register to the Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL)?

How is the HHSC office making a "good faith effort" to assist HUBs?

HHSC purchasers search for HUB vendors on CPA's CMBL/HUB Directory to find bidders on all our goods and services. They also encourage all vendors who come to our agency directly and who we meet at economic opportunity forums to become certified, if qualified, with CPA.

In addition to seeking HUB vendors as prime contractors, they are also encouraged to be subcontractors in our contracts with non-HUB primes. One of the ways we encourage HUB subcontracting is to include a HUB Subcontracting Plan in each of our formal bids ($100,000 & over). The HHSC office asks prime contractors to identify and report dollars spent on HUB subcontractors and material suppliers with whom they work in the execution of an agency contract. By reporting subcontractor purchases each month, prime contractors help the agency make a good faith effort to meet the goals set by the Legislature.

What are the specific bidding requirements HHSC must follow?

Up to $5,000.00 (goods/services) does not require competition, however PCS requires that at least one HUB provider be offered an opportunity to bid when possible;

Certain goods over $50,000 and services over $100,000 require that specifications be submitted to CPA for handling;

Invitation for Bid services over $25,000 must be advertised by the agency using CPA's entire Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) for the appropriate class/item;

Solicitations and contract documents for contracts that have a value of at least $5 million or greater during the full term of the contract, including any renewal periods, are submitted to CPA for review and approval.

How are the vendors selected to bid on goods and services for HHSC?

Texas is divided into 24 geographical districts. When an applicant completes a HUB Certification Application, a vendor may elect to bid in all or individual districts by so indicating. Bid invitations for commodity classes and items selected by the applicant will be mailed only for the districts designated on the application. Two branches of the same company may bid in the same district if they are bidding on different items.

What is the HHSC Mentor Protégé Program?

It is the intent of Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to carry out programs and procedures for the Mentor Protégé Program to encourage vendors to foster long-term relationships between contractors/vendors and Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs). In addition, to increase the ability of HUBs to contract with the state or to receive subcontracts under a state contract, primarily in providing goods and services for our agency. This policy is written in accordance with the Texas Government Code, Section 2161.065, in which the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA) is directed to design such a program for all agencies. HHSC's intent is to comply with statutory requirements in lieu of guidelines from CPA.

The objective of HHSC Mentor Protégé Program is to provide professional guidance and support to the protégé to facilitate their development and growth. All participation is voluntary and program features should remain flexible so as to maximize participation.

Once a vendor has been awarded a state contract and the vendor has provided goods or services to a state agency, how soon before payment is made?

Texas' "prompt payment law" establishes when some types of payments are due. The law states that payments for goods and services are due 30 days after the goods are provided, the services completed, or a correct invoice is received, whichever is later. The Comptroller's State-to-Vendor Payment Information Website provides up to 4 years of confidential and non-confidential vendor payment information. A vendor must register for a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to access confidential payments. To register for a PIN or to search for payment information click on the State-to-Vendor Payment Information link located on the Fiscal Management Website. Vendor payment information is available via Fax Report and can provide up to 30 days of non-confidential vendor payment information.